The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 84 – A Changeling Kingdom Finale

The changeling’s began to look concerned as the ponies crowded around Rayne in disbelief. “Rayne… Darling? May we have a with with you over here please?” Rarity cooed innocently in a way that didn’t make her sound innocent at all. As soon as the stallion stepped closer the other mares encircled him and Rarity hissed out, “Are you CRAZY?!”

“Lookie here sugarcube. We don’t mean to gang up like this but we just have some concerns about what you intend to be teaching here is all.” Applejack added but her doubt written all over her face.

Rainbow went next but took the blunt path they were all skirting around. “Rayne, tell me this isn’t a sex class so that you can have an orgy with a group of changelings.”

“RAINBOW DASH!” The other mares growled.

“What?! You were all thinking it!” She griped back.

However surprising them all the stallion just started to laugh. “Wha? Haha, whoa there! Hey now! Intimacy is a big part of romance but there is a lot more that goes into it than that. Come on, is that really what you all think of me?”

That was when a deadpan voice spoke out from the only mare who wasn't nervously crowding around him. “No, it seems more like they're all jealous. It's as if they all imagined you as a handsome older stallion dressed up in a professor’s uniform. Which, would make them your naughty students who look up to you.”

Rayne glanced around to them now as every other mare in the room had their faces go beat red. "Wow, really? How very anime-josei of all of you." He laughed, even though he knew they wouldn't get the reference.

To make matters worse it was Spike who spoke next saying, “I don’t get it. What does that have to do with anything? Rarity, were you thinking about Rayne like that too?” He asked with his big innocent eyes looking up to the unicorn mare curiously.

“Aheh, heh… Umm well…” She whined nervously. “Thanks a lot Maud!” She hissed before separating from the group along with Spike. “No of course not Spikey Wikey. I wouldn’t be thinking such thoughts about another stallion. Not when I have my heroic knight here beside me.” She was trying to sound genuine but everyone could tell that her courage was falling like a shipwreck in the ocean that was sinking fast.

But enough was enough as Rayne spoke out to the group. "Alright now everypony. Let's settle down. No need for this to get so out of hoof." At this the mares looked around realizing that perhaps they were acting a bit silly over the whole thing. "Look, I get why most ponies would be bashful answering questions like these. But to me it's just sharing how to bring joy into the life of one creature to another."

"Oh, well when you put it that way..." Applejack mumbled.

"Yeah, I guess that makes kinda sense." Rainbow Dash added.

Giving the girls a nod Rayne stepped back over to the changelings where Gwaeron looked up asking, "Uh, is everything alright?"

"Oh yes, nothing to worry about. As you might have noticed some ponies tend to get shy when the topic of romance is brought up. But don't worry about that for now. Where we are going to start is what it means to be romantic with someone as opposed to just sharing in friendship with someone. The two can be similar but they are also very different." Then looking over his shoulder he called out, "Rarity, Spike? Could you two come over here please?"

- Back at the top of the Mountain -

“So to reiterate, these three strategies are all much for efficient not to mention racially diversifying than my original plan! I think that if you were to select any one of these then we are assured success in-”

“Um, Twilight?” Fluttershy spoke up to stop the ranting alicorn because it looked like Thorax’s eyes were spinning. “I don’t think that a strategy meeting on combat tactics is necessarily what the map table sent us for.”

Now the princess blinked for a moment before saying, “Ok, you’re right. This is yours and Pinkie’s mission after all. I’ll just be over here… waiting. NO! Not waiting, aheh, I mean, you know, if you need me or anything… or if anything attacks, you know you can count on me to-

“ALRIGHT LADY! WE GET IT!” Pinkie Pie shouted which made Twilight chuckle nervously before finally shutting up.

Now the two other mares along with Thorax all sighed in relief. That was when Fluttershy took Thorax by the hoof and smiled to him warmly. “Alright so as you know, Pinkie and I are here for a friendship mission. But before we get into that, hello Thorax. How are you today?” She asked with that air of kindness which only Fluttershy could master so well.

Thorax’s ears folded a bit out of joy and replied, “Oh well hello to you too Fluttershy. It is always so nice getting to speak with you. I am actually doing rather well as a matter of fact. It was just this morning that the class of our younger changelings brought a series of hoof paintings they made to show me.”

“Oh that sounds adorable.” Fluttershy gushed while Pinkie ‘awwed’ in the background.

“Yeah, things have been really great around here.” Thorax stated. “In fact, I’m not exactly sure what the map could have called you here for. I’m not saying we don’t still have issues, but for the most part the hive has been a happy place.”

Pinkie plopped down on her rear and tilted her head to the side. “Oh well that’s good to hear. It doesn’t make our job any easier though.”

“Excuse me Thorax but could I ask you about something else?” Twilight asked while looking at the artwork from the changeling class. “You said that these were made by younger changelings, is that correct?”

“Why yes, we have a whole class full in fact. Why do you ask?” Thorax questioned.

Twilight's wings stiffened as she questioned, “Well, who are their parents? If you’ll forgive my ignorance… Your society reproduces through a queen, am I right? Now that Chrysalis is gone...” She winced, wanting an answer but not wanting to directly state her question.

Thorax seemed to understand as he perked his ears up and explained, “Oh, Twilight don’t be silly. Our population hasn't gone barren now just because we don't have a queen. True, having one helps as she was the only one capable of producing eggs in large quantities. However any changeling is capable of reproduction on a small scale all on their own.”

“They are?!” Pinkie shouted in surprise and Thorax did not look bashful in explaining what was common knowledge to him.

“Yes, that’s right. Think about it. Gender and reproduction are all just a matter of physiology. And changelings are able to change theirs however they see fit. So all it takes is a little focusing and any changeling is capable of producing a fertilized egg or two all on their own.

There was an awkward silence for a moment before all three ponies stood wide eyed saying, “Oooooooooh!”

- Back in the Music Room -

"Wow Anansi... that's actually fascinating." Rayne told her as he listened closely as she explained.

"Yes so reproduction is a simple task for us. Of course, we take managing resources before producing a new generation of changelings. And naturally, even though we can breed on our own it's always preferred to do it with a partner." The red chiten changeling explained. But something about how Rayne was smiling was making her heart race.

"That's really something. And you're so knowledgeable about it. I mean, I'm sure for you it's just common everyday life. But to me... I feel very impressed by you." He said with a sincere smile.

"Oh... well thank you." She told him.

Then every creature looked up as Rayne clapped his hooves together. "Alright how do you feel right now Anansi? How did the interest that I was showing you affect you?"

Blushing a little the red changeling told them, "Oh well it made me nervous but in an exciting kind of way. My heart was racing even though we weren't talking about anything important... it was like I couldn't look away."

"And there you have it folks. A perfect example of flirting and it's effects." Everyone around them clapped a little. "So as you see, it is not required to use weird seductive voices or do something outside the norm for you. Flirting can be done innocently and at any time."

The other changelings nodded with understanding. Then Gwileth who spoke up saying, "I think I get it! It isn't what you were talking about that is important. It's about who you are having the conversation with and showing them the interest you have in having said conversation with them!"

"That's right!" Rayne answered. "It all comes down to attention. You can spend time with your friends and you can spend time with your partner. But it's about letting the object of your desire see that their presence is meaningful to you." The changelings nodded again that they understood. "Alright, let's see how the others are doing."

Not far off Rarity and Spike were holding each other's arms while talking with Kaia, Strider and Gwaeron. "So yes, a simple peck or even a short kiss is usually acceptable in any setting." Rarity explained.

"But there are all different kinds of kisses or ways to show affection." Spike instructed.

"Oh, could you show us?" Kaia gushed and Strider nodded seeming to share her interest. The couple blushed and Spike just looked up to his girlfriend with a shrug.

"Oh very well. For educational purposes..." She stated. Then the two of them looked deeply into each other's eyes. "Oh... Spike."

"Rarity... my Rarity." The dragon whispered as their lips touched. The two lingered in each other's arms and held each other tightly letting the whole world just fall away.

When they finally pulled back they blushed remembering that they were not alone as the changelings applauded in awe of their love. "Wow, that was amazing!" Strider told them. "We changelings can feel the love in others. And when you two kissed just now it was like an explosion!"

"Yes, it was beautiful!" Kaia gushed again. "Love must be just like friendship. Sharing love is way more powerful than stealing it! The relationship between you two is truly inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!"

"Oh, think nothing of it darling." Rarity announced in a jovial tone. "I admit we were bashful at first but helping Rayne to teach you all about romance has actually been quite fun."

Gwaeron was next to speak as he asked, "So what about you being a different species? Does that make things difficult to be romantic with each other?" Rarity just scoffed as she would have been happy to explain about romance being a universal language to all. But she stopped dead in her tracks when he blurted out, "How do you two mate? Would you and Spike have baby ponies or baby dragons?"

"AHH-HHHA-AAHH! RAYNE! RAYNE DARLING! YOUR ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED OVER HERE!" The recoiling mare squealed out.

Stepping over with a chuckle he excused them to go sit down and answered, "Well you see... love, sex, and romance are all mysteries to be discovered. No two partnerships are ever entirely the same." Gwaeron nodded seeming to understand. "To answer your actual question, we don't know a lot about interspecies romance yet. Rarity and Spike are the first dragon and pony couple as far as any of us know of. So you could say that they are writing the book on the subject as they go."

"Well what about pony and changeling couplings?" Kaia asked. "Our two races have bred together for centuries."

"What?! No they haven't!" Dash shouted while Applejack looked over seeming just as confused.

But all the changelings just tilted their heads as if they didn't understand the need for confusion. Gwaeron volunteered to explain saying, "Back when Chrysalis was ruling us we would use you ponies as our primary means of survival."

"Yeah, it's true." Gwileth agreed. "I mean, we feel kinda silly about it now but most of the adult changelings alive today were born from the love that was fed from the generation before yours."

"Whoa now, what do you mean by that exactly?" Applejack asked, not liking the sound of where this was going.

The two male changelings looked to each other and then Strider explained, "Think about it... All those ponies who are happily married with all that love they share. Chrysalis would send us out to collect that love and bring it back to the hive. We ate what we needed and passed the rest off to our queen. Then in turn, she used that love to grow new batches of changelings by the dozen. So in a sense, you could say that changelings have been related to the ponies they fed upon for over the last thousand years."

Anansi looked to them and said, "My hatchling group came from a guard in Canterlot while Chrysalis pretended to be his girlfriend."

Sounding cheerful now like it were some sort of a game Gwaeron said, "That would make my pony parents the happy couple that work in the big pastry shop on Ponyville."

Then Kaia and Gwileth looked to each other before looking to Dash and Applejack saying, "We're like your older sisters!"

"AAAAHHHH!!!" The two ponies screamed, each imagining one of their parents in bed with Chrysalis.

"Whooaaaa! Whoa! Okay hold on!" Rayne shouted trying to defuse the situation as Dash and Applejack now sat holding each other and shivering. "Alright so moving away from this topic! This educational lecture us supposed to be about consensual and aware pairings only!"

"Ohhh... riiight..." The changelings all commented while the other mares frowned.

- Back at the Mountain's Peak -

With the sun now setting on the horizon Twilight was still pacing the room with Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Thorax all looking exhausted. "So, we know that changelings possess the possibility for shape shifting! And now we know they can grow their population exponentially! Maybe the panther thinks he can use changeling magic to increase his forces? No, no. That would never work." She ranted as no one was listening to her by this point.

"She has been going on like this for three hours!" Thorax groaned as the others gave an apologetic sigh. "Is it too late to go back to being evil again? Maybe It could help us conquer... all this." He jested toward the princess who was still going.

Pinkie just chuckled and said, "Heh, if you do let me know. I'll join you." She sulked sarcastically.

But that was when something happened that they did no expect. Without a word the yellow pegasus stood up from where they were sitting and stomped a hoof right in Twilight's path. "Twlight Sparkle! You need to stop this, right now! You are being a bad friend!" Fluttershy screamed which made the purple alicorn fall back in surprise.

"Wha- what?!" She gasped before looking around trying to understand how the sky had gotten dark 'all of a sudden.'

"Twilight! You are obsessing and you aren't listening to anypony! The map called US here to help the changelings and you've hardly let us say a word to Thorax all day! Also, you are seriously disrespecting Pinkie and I! We appreciate you coming along to keep us safe! We WANT your company because we care about you and we trust that you would never let anything happen to us! But the panther isn't here right now and unless he actually shows up and ACTUALLY attacks some creature... we, need, you, to, STOP!!!"

Everyone in the room looked shocked from how she had totally just told her friend off. "Whoa, go Fluttershy for standing up for herself." Pinkie chuckled.

"Oh, well, you know. If you wouldn't mind ever so terribly?" The pegasus quickly added at the end.

But after a brief silence the princess stood up, raised her chin, and said, "No, you're absolutely right Fluttershy. I'm sorry, to everyone. I was being a bad friend today." Then looking over to Thorax she said, "My behavior was no way to treat someone that you care about. But Fluttershy here reminded me how grateful I am to have friends who will always have my back."

Now Pinkie zipped over and pulled them into a hug. "Awwwwww! Best friends!"

After that Twilight looked to Thorax again saying, "I'm sorry that I wasted this day with my crazy ranting. As ruler I'm sure you probably had plenty of other things to deal with. Since it's late I'm going to leave you alone with Pinkie and Fluttershy now. I'll see if any changeling can set us up with rooms for the night. And if you need me... I'm sure I'll hear screams or something." Now everyone laughed a bit and Twilight left while the three who remained sighed in relief.

Running a hoof between his antlers now Thorax stated, "Well, I guess now we can get back to discussing why you two are here?"

But with the air around them now cleared, Fluttershy and Pinkie looked to one another before shaking their heads. "It's not us we need to talk about, it's you." Pinkie told him.

"What do you mean?" Thorax asked.

"Maybe... it wasn't my place to be the one to tell Twilight to stop after all." Fluttershy wondered. "Thorax, you ARE the king here after all. Aren't you?"

"Oh well, I like to think of myself more as a friend who is in charge."

"STOP THAT!" Several other changelings shouted from around the throne room which also doubled as a common area.

With a sly grin Pinkie smirked out, "I think we found our friendship problem."

The pegasus fluttered her wings nervously. "Oh Thorax... no, King Thorax. You really ought to have more respect for yourself. I think the problem might be you not standing up for what's important."

The changeling definitely looked surprised to hear. "You really think so?"

Pinkie bounded over telling him, "You need to be be able to stand up for yourself just like you would stand up for your people."

Fluttershy added in, "As a leader, respect for yourself comes equal with respect for those you you care for. I am not a king but back home when the animals I care for become unruly, sometimes I NEED to assert my authority for their own sake."

"But... I want to be friends with them too. How do I do both?" Thorax asked.

Fluttershy was happy to explain, "Of course you can still be friends. No one is saying otherwise. But you ARE their king Thor-, I mean your majesty. Being a leader also means showing your pride in representing those who you protect."

Pinkie nodded along saying, "Think of it like this... you wouldn't let a guest come in here and walk all over your citizens, would you?"

"Of course not!" Thorax stated.

"Annnnd if you saw someone being rude to a changeling you wouldn't stand for it, right?" She asked.

"No, I wouldn't." He declared proudly.

"There!" Fluttershy pointed out. "That pride you're showing right now in defending your people is the same pride that they have in you! So when you don't stand up for yourself, it makes the other changelings sad because you aren't respecting the love their have for their ruler." Now looking around Thorax saw that the other changelings were nodding.

Pinkie finished by saying, "When you let someone walk all over you you're letting them walk all over them. As king, it's your job to make sure others treat you with the respect. Because how they treat you is the same as how they would treat ALL the changelings."

"Oh... I see what you mean." Thorax stated as he walked back over to his throne. "Thank you girls. Do you think... that I could have some time to think about this? Maybe we could-" But he stopped when they both gave him an eyebrow raise. Giving a sigh he smiled and said, "Thank you ladies. You have given me a lot to think about. Now please take your leave whilst I royally consider this new information."

At this two of the changelings dropped their jaws at Thorax acting so kingly and eagerly jumped to escort the ponies out. The girls giggled together as Pinkie whispered, "It's a little up tight but it's a good start."

- Back Down in the Music Room -

"-And that's how you go about respecting yer partner's responsibilities." Applejack stated as she just finished reviewing the aspect of 'time and place' with the changelings.

Rayne nodded to her as he finished his own lesson as well. "And remember, giving gifts like flowers or homemade crafts can be a wonderful display of affection. But it is never appropriate as the first step. You don't buy affection, you honor those you already share it with."

Starlight was standing there in front of him holding the rose he had just given her and said, "It is important to distinguish between whether you're already romantic with someone and whether you just want to be romantic with someone. Doing intimate acts for one who doesn't already like you back can be awkward or upsetting. Gifts are usually best saved someone that you are already committed to."

Gwileth thought for a moment before saying, "Like kissing? How Spike and Rarity will kiss because they are already a couple but it might not be appropriate to kiss a friend on the lips? But gift giving like making Strider a kite would still be okay?"

"That's right. I think you are all getting it." Rayne praised. But his lesson was cut short when another mare called to him softly.

"Rayne?" Maud asked as she stared ahead with her eyes starting to drooping low.

Quickly he rushed forward to catch her as she slumped. "Heh, I suppose it is getting rather late. You had a big day today, didn't you?" He asked gently, leaning her over his arm. "I think we should wrap it up for tonight. I believe King Thorax mentioned something about rooms?" The stallion asked as Starlight stepped over to help with Maud for him.

After that every creature started to file out of the room. The changelings started offering each of their own rooms for the different ponies for helping them. However there was one changeling who seemed to remain behind as the others were leaving. "Anansi? Is everything okay?" Rayne asked as he called back to the others that he would catch up with them later. When he returned back into the room he was surprised to find the reddish changeling twirling the rose which Starlight had left behind from their lesson.

"I- I know it's late. But I had one more thing that I wanted to ask you." She whispered as she just stared at the flower to avoid his gaze.

"Now Anansi, what did we say about eye contact?" He teased, just to try to lighten the mood as he worried she might have been upset by something.

With a chuckle she placed the rose behind her ear and looked to him. "I didn't want to bother the others with another question about changeling and pony relations. They seemed kind of shocked to find out what we had been doing all along."

Rayne just tried to appear welcoming as he said, "Don't worry. I always suspected. And I don't blush as easily as my friends. What did you want to know?"

"Well..." She stared at him now with her eye contact steady. Rayne smirked because she almost looked a little predatory unlike how all of the changelings were being kind hearted and jovial earlier. "You taught us a lot about attraction. About getting those feelings... that race to your heart... that breathlessness in your chest. But what if you don't want a relationship? What if you meet someone, but who you know that is going to leave? And you might never see them again? But you still feel that way?" She asked while slinking in close to him.

"Well..." He said with a smirk as she was nearly crawling onto his shoulders with how close she had gotten. "I'd say you just need to appreciate what you have... while you have it..." He whispered.

"Oh?" She grinned and wrapped her hooves around him. "That's a lesson that I wouldn't mind learning actually. Would you... teach me?" She asked coyly as her wings flickered in the same manner that a mare would tremble with a shiver running down their spine.

Rayne and Anasi were now face to face, practically tasting each other's breath from how close their lips were. "You know, maybe there is something that you could teach me instead?" Anansi almost leapt into his arms with excitement at that.

"Yeesss?" She asked him while subtly gyrating against his body.

"I want to know how changelings... when they aren't disguised as a pony... How do they-"

Her voice was suddenly dry and sultry as she cut him off saying, "You want to know if a changeling stays a changeling when they fuck?!" She asked boldly, putting emphasis into the vulgarity instead of trying to hide it.

Rayne shivered before releasing a low growl. Anansi could only laugh victoriously as Rayne grabbed her, prying her up from where she stood and squeezing her tight with her back pinned against the wall. "You have a dirty mouth!"

"Ooohh! I knew it!" She cheered. "All those nice little ponies but you were playing friendly during our lessons because they were watching! Ha! You like a bad girl, don't you mister stallion?" She teased him, running only the slightest hint of her tongue across his bottom lip but not fully kissing him. "You want to know how a changeling and a changeling do it?" Her voice was that of a tried and true seductress who knew what she was doing. "You want me to show you?" She purred while pressing her knees into his. She parted their legs to straddle him even as she hung in the air with nothing beneath her. "Do you?"

"Yes...!" Rayne hissed as he tried to kiss her but she pulled back. She smirked feeling how aroused she was. Meanwhile he didn't mind in the lease letting the little temptress have a moment of control.

"You want to fuck me? You like it when I'm vulgar? You like a bad girl?" She teased, grinding on air over his lap.

"Yes! Yes dammit!" Rayne growled, finally losing his patience with her teasing. But then something happened that he did not expect.

She slithered from her form into another, changing her red chiten body to that of a deep shimmering black. "Just how BAD do you want me to be?" Chrysalis growled as her dark green hair fell about across Rayne's shoulders. But a second later there was a hard thud as she landed on the floor with Rayne onto of her. "Stop! Too rough, too rough! I'm sorry!" Anansi whimpered as she was back in her own form now with her hooves raised in a docile expression.

Rayne tried his best to calm himself from how he was breath was seething with lust. "Heehh... hehhh... sorry." He whispered and leaned up to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry..."

Anansi was beside herself, staring at something which he could not see. "You love our queen...?" She whispered in disbelief. "All those mares you have from Ponyville and you choose her?" But no matter how hard it was for her to accept, the look she saw in his eyes and the love that she tasted radiating from his body could not be a lie.

"Please..." He begged to her. "Teach me how to pleasure her... Please tell me." He pleaded in a breathy whisper.

Immediately she thrusted her lips up against his before nodding. Pulling him down upon her body she moved her lips to his ear and panted, "I will... I will show you everything there is to know about a changeling's body... so that when you find her... Well, I wish you the best of luck." Then she held him tight to begin a lesson of her own.

- That Night, Up on the Mountain's Peak -

Thorax sat on his throne contemplating in silence. Like always there were a few others around but it was late and most in the hive were dreaming blissfully. The changeling king just sighed as the moonlight through the window became blocked by a passing cloud.

"Can I have everyone leave the throne room please?" Thorax called out. The other changelings looked up fron where they rested in confusion. But as the cloud passed there was a shadow looming in window sill which had not been there before. Panicked gripped the changelings who were present but without delay their king shouted again. "I SAID...! As your king, I order every changeling out of the throne room! I mean it! And do not return until I call for you!" He declared with confidence.

Four dark paws padded their way inside after watching the worried souls leave the room. "Impressive. Facing the danger on your own to spare your subjects from harm. Admirable, dear king." A heavy voice reverberated out as piercing blue eyes stared forward sharply.

Thorax raised an eyebrow as he looked the panther over. "And are you a danger to me? From what I've heard you are highly intelligent... possibly diplomatic even."

A mouthful of white fangs shined in the moonlight as the panther sneered. "Oh how those ponies love to talk..."

Thorax looked at the claws on the beast and how the heavy muscles bulged under it's black fur. He fought back a shudder considering the pride of the whole hive that slept beneath him. "I welcome you as I would any peaceful visitor to the Changeling Kingdom. However, I am afraid it's a little late for us to be receiving guests."

Rayne stared wide eyed before giving a laugh. "HA! The bold arrogance of a king! I love it! That's twice you've surprised me your majesty..."

"What are you doing here?" Thorax called out cutting to the chase. "From what I've been told, you don't appear anywhere unless you want something."

"You're right... I do want something, your majesty." The cat purred out in a mocking tone as his claws extended. "I am a connoisseur of sorts. I have been traveling around Equestria collecting things and now there is something that I need from you. I need your magic..." The feline stated in a low tone.

"So that's it then? You've come to pillage the changelings for their shape shifting ability? I have been well informed of your capabilities! I will not endanger my people with a battle against you. If you're here to harm anyone than leave my people alone and take me!" Thorax glowered at the black cat that had invaded his home.

The panther's grin did not waver while pacing about the room as if he were toying with the changeling. "What's this? Pillage? Harm changelings? Oh my, those wicked little ponies have surely painted me as quite the villain to you, haven't they?" He teased but Thorax did not look amused. "Oh fine, let's be done with this then. I'm not here for anything of the sort." He announced, dropping his mischievous attitude.

"What? Can I really believe you?" The good natured changeling asked him.

"Would it do me any good to say that you could? How about you take it on good faith because I haven't attacked you yet?" The panther offered but Thorax seemed to give no response at all. Narrowing his eyes now the black cat explained, "I didn't come here to pillage anything. I came to ask you for your magic."

"What?" Thorax asked looking baffled.

"Heh, don't get me wrong dear king. I am a bad guy... but just not to you." The panther said while retracting his claws. Then he began licking his paw and rubbing his face to clean himself. "I'm not looking for a fight and I don't plan on raiding you either. In fact I'd like to help you. I'm even offering something in exchange."

"You want to give me something?" Thorax asked now feeling perplexed.

"Not just you but all changelings. You see, it is my understanding that your lands are savaged by rather vicious mole like creatures. They pose a danger to your colony and make it difficult to grow your crops. I'd like to offer to chase them out of your desert." The panther grinned. "Oh don't worry, I won't hurt them. But I can make sure they're gone for good. And that's a promise."

Thorax had a terrible poker face as he raised an eyebrow thinking this over. "And you would do this in exchange for my magic? It still sounds like a high price to pay."

"Correction... I would do this in exchange for your magic for only about ten seconds." The panther almost laughed at how dumbfounded the changeling was looking.

"So let me get this straight. You are offering to peacefully chase away our colony's greatest threat and all you want is my magic for ten seconds and then you'll just... give it back to me?"

"That's right." The panther cooed feeling like this deal was as good as done. "And then you will likely never seen me again. It's that simple."

Stepping over toward the window Thorax thought hard about this decision. He thought about everything Twilight had said to him. He thought about his people and their love for him. And then thought about what Pinkie and Fluttershy had helped him to see. "Alright, I have made my decision."

- -

Not far down the mountain three mares laying sleeping under blankets together when a soft light disturbed them all from rest. "Hey! You guys! Lookie!" Pinkie whispered excitedly as she pulled the blanket back to reveal that her cutie mark was shining.

"What? A successful friendship mission?" Twilight asked.

Fluttershy gave a giggle as she looked to her own cutie mark as well. "Completing a friendship mission in our sleep? Hehe, does that count as us beating Applejack or Rainbow Dash for fastest friendship mission ever?"

Twilight frowned while crawling out of bed. "It isn't a competition girls. But what happened?" She asked as she stepped outside the room and looked upwards seeing Thorax standing at his window high above them.

Fluttershy joined her asking, "Do you think it had something to do with the panther after all? Could he be up there with Thorax right now?"

Then Pinkie joined them in. "Well... our friendship mission was a success right? If he is up there then maybe we should just leave them alone?"

- -

Back back up in the throne room Thorax gave a heavy sigh while the panther just grinned behind him. "No..." The changeling king said.

"Ah, thank you for your- WHAT?!" The black cat growled in dismay.

Thorax turned around and spoke confidently. "I said no. I don't accept your terms because you are offering us nothing at all."

"But, but-" Rayne snarled more at himself for not having anything clever to say.

"The Maulwarf are dangerous, yes. But we can deal with them. They are something that we've always dealt with so it's really no bother for us to continue. Besides, they probably help keep other predators away who could be even worse. So even if you're just wanting a taste of my power, your terms are not acceptable." Now Thorax looked stern. "I am a king, you are a stranger grasping at my greatness, and you offer me nothing." Thorax declared as he stomped a hoof.

Rayne just stood there wide eyed. "Did-... did I just served by freaking THORAX?!" He screamed to himself in disbelief. "NO! It's too late! I already ate the throne shards! I MUST have changeling magic or I can never meld back together! I-... I'm not leaving without this baffoon's magic!"

"But... there is something else I want. Something else you can do for me." Thorax told him. Inside he was shaking but outwardly he did not let it show.

"I'm listening..." The panther mumbled in a low tone as he watched Thorax's every move carefully.

The changeling king looked to him and smiled. "You can be my friend." Rayne's eyes shot open and he almost balked at how cheesy Thorax's request was. "You keep your distance and don't explain yourself. You have Twilight wound up in a fit because she doesn't know anything about you. But I would like to."

Sucking air in through his teeth for a moment Rayne sat up and asked, "So what? Come over once a week for tea? Let the wee ones ride on by back? Is that what you're asking?"

Thorax chuckled at the thought. "Or whatever you would be comfortable with." He nodded.

There was a stalemate between them as the two just looked each other in the eye. But after only a short pause the panther nodded. "Maybe that wouldn't be so bad. If you can promise my anonymity from the ponies then I accept your terms."

"Good, then we are in agreement." Thorax stated and extended a hoof for the panther to shake. "Now I guess, take what you came for." He said uneasily. "Is this going to hurt?"

"No, you will just feel weak. And it will only be for a moment." Now the panther grinned as he sat upright while a shadow wafted into the room from behind him. While Obsidianwolves secretly kept watch from all around, a black stallion appeared hiding just behind where the panther sat. Thorax watched as a fiery glow came out from where the feline sat.

"Hhgggnnnhh!" He groaned as his energy left him and all his bright color turned a dull gray.

From down below three pairs of eyes snapped open wide. "I WAS WRONG! I WAS WRONG!!!" Pinkie shouted as all three ponies raced to run back up the mountain now.

Before Thorax could really process what was happening though he found that his energy and color were already returning to him. "Huuh, huew... is that it?" He asked while rubbing his head.

But the panther seemed to be concentrating. From behind, the stallion took longer than he expected to stomach the new power. Once it was settled it took a great deal of effort to push the magic through to the black cat. Even though the throne shards resisted the ability of Tirek's magic the changeling energy still managed seep it's way through.

After that the stallion vanished and the panther focused on absorbing, merging, splitting, then balancing his energies. About a full minute later he opened his eyes and then successfully teleported right in front of Thorax. "Heh heh, yes. That is all." He smirked before vanishing away just as Twilight and the others rushed into the room to make sure Thorax was okay.

- The Next Morning -

"Wow, so can you believe it?" Pinkie asked as their group of friends all boarded the train to return back home. "Thanks to Fluttershy and I, King Thorax stood his ground against the panther when he came to visit! It's unbelievable! Who knew that the map table would call us for something so crazy?!"

"Oh, I think it's fine." The yellow pegasus responded. "I'm just glad that we were able to help."

However Twilight slumped into a seat with a wing over her forehead in frustration. "Yes but I still wish that he would have told us what happened! I can't believe that after everything he refused to share what he and the panther talked about! Or what that flash of light was!"

Starlight just placed a hoof over her shoulder while trying to sound comforting. "Let's just be happy that this didn't turn into another forest incident." To this Twilight smiled and nodded. But that was when Starlight looked around and asked, "So uh, did anypony see what happened to Rayne and Maud? Why aren't they traveling home with us?"

Most of the others shrugged but Dash just crossed her hooves as she flew into a seat. "Yeah, I saw them. They ducked out early before the rest of us woke up."

However Applejack just smirked and said, "From that red changeling's room?"

To this Dash rolled her eyes and dropped a couple bits into Applejack's hoof. "Yesssss!"

- Northern Ponyville, in the Grassy Wild -

Maud walked with Rayne as he lead her to an area with several large tents pitched around. Ponies were traveling back and forth between them while others seemed to be doing some sort of field study on a large crater that was blasted into the dirt.

"Rayne, what is all this?" She asked but it wasn't long before an old stallion with a brown coat and pink mane approached them. "Rusty Tenure? I haven't seen you since I graduated from my Rockology Degre."

"Well hello there Ms. Pie. It's a pleasure to see you again. I must say, this is some find that you have here. Some find indeed. I always knew that you would go on to do great things!"

Maud stood there confused as Rayne turned to him and seemed to be signing some paperwork. "Alright, all set." Her boyfriend said before beckoning her down into the crater where mining ponies were working it like a quarry. "Come here Maud. I have a stone that I want you to look at for me." He asked while doing a poor job at hiding his excitement.

She querked an eyebrow at him but then picked up a dark stone that had several colors reflecting both through and from it. "What is this Rayne?" She pulled out an eye scope and magnified the lense to study it closer. "Wait... how can this be?" She remarked before setting the piece down and picking up a larger chunk now. "Is this... Ammolite? Hmm, almost but no. Pietersite maybe? It has plagioclase feldspar with dendrites of labradorescence. But I don't recognize it's exact composition. This is... this is..." Then she looked up at him and said, "This is a never before discovered mineral. Rayne, something like this is huge. A find like this is every geologist's dream."

Unable to hold back any longer he turned her shoulders and waved out around the crater. "And there is nearly a mile of it." He pointed out as she looked at the dig site in maud awe. "It was created by accident several years ago. It was during the battle when Twilight fought against Tirek when they were equally powered. Their magics fused together into an explosion that scorched the earth causing this crater. And the sediments within were melted into this new stone. And here it sat undiscovered until now." He whispered to her as she looked it over.

"It's beautiful... what's it called?" She asked him.

With a smirk he told her, "I named it Pie Stone." Instantly she looked up to him in surprise. "For it's different colors as if it had layers, like a pie. Plus, it's named after your family. Your parents, your sisters... and you are all credited down as the primary discoverer for this entire crater." He handed over the documentation that had already been stamped and notarized as official. "It's all yours Maud. The Pie family will go down in history for the greatest geological discovery of the age."

At first Rayne got nervous because there was only silence from her and she was looked down at the paperwork where he couldn't see her face. But then he thought he saw a tear drop fall to the paper below. With a sniff she looked up at him. "You did this for me? And you named the credit for my entire family?" She asked him as she whimpered. Rayne was shocked as he didn't know what to do. Maud was crying. Actually crying. "That is the sweetest... gift that anypony... has ever...." She almost crinkling the paperwork in her hooves. "Thank you Rayne. Thank you!" Then he reached down and held her as she dropped the forms and sobbed into his shoulder. "Thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you Rayne!" She bawled uncontrollably even as a few miners stopped their digging to look over and smile.

Author's Notes:

Alright so because this chapter was so long and there were so many things that happened I am adding another reflections blog to cover the current events. I'm still doing my normal ending notes here but please take a time to read this before commenting.

https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/879062/ch-84-reflections

So who liked my little real world joke about anime josei? For those that don't know there are themes of anime and manga which are based off of their target audience. Josie refers mainly to older girls which includes a lot of romance, tragic love, and intense drama type stories.

So this chapter hopped back and forth between Twilight's group and Rayne's group a bit. I think I did a good job on my little segway talking about changeling reproduction.

Speaking of which, this was something that I came up with myself. I don't think changelings and ponies are directly related, but they are fed off that love from ponies. More on that in the blog...

So I know this chapter was super long at 7.4k words. But originally scene with Rayne teaching the changelings was a lot longer. Like another thousand words longer. Ultimately though I decided to cut it back because of how long this chapter ran on for.

Yes I feel that Chrysalis is older than Celestia. But more on that in the blog...

So funny enough, as much as Twilight was wanting to help... just about every idea she had was wrong. The princess had absolutely no clue what the panther was really after. And now she out of locations on the friendship map for the panther to pop up at. Does this mean the panther is finished in collecting everything that he's wanted to gather? Well not quite. But it is the end of him needing any other creature's help to get it.

So all the changeling names are made up or paraphrased from a name generator. I just picked what I liked. More on Anansi in the blog...

So did everyone understand what the friendship mission was? Thorax was having trouble being able to stand up for himself. Pride isn't always bad, sometimes you need a little of it to get through a tough situation. And Rayne came in expecting to walk all over Thorax and just get his way. But then a new friendship wouldn't have blossomed. So the map intervened.

Now who figured out what the REAL reason was for Rayne wanting changeling magic in this chapter? It had nothing to do with shape changing. More on this in the blog...

Okay, more Maud vocabulary. Ammolite and Pietersite are very rare stones that are both dark with a swirl of colors within them. Plagioclase feldspar is a solid series of minerals as opposed to being only one kind. Labradorescence is the reflective shimmering some stones have. Dendrites just means it's spread out like veins or like tree roots.

Now I'm sure this doesn't really need to be stated, but Pie Stone is not Canon. I just made it up, even though I included that screenshot from the show pointing out where it is. That's just me pretending to be clever and nothing more.

And who liked my joke about Maud standing in maud awe. Hehe, I just meant she was calm like she normally is... until she eventually broke down. You see, Pinkie wears her heart on her sleeve and will cry for almost anything. But even though she's more reserved, Maud is just as loving as her sister. It just takes more to bring her emotion to the surface. And Rayne's secret special gift for Maud gave her more feelings than she could contain. This was what Rayne had asked Discord to find for him and to deliver the paperwork for.

Now speaking of long chapters, this won't be the last one. The changeling arc is over with but there are more big events to occur. I still plan to maintain my 'average' chapter length of 4-5k-ish words per chapter but ch 85 will be record breaking for its length in my story. There is good reason for it though. It will be very important to story and will also be my last chapter for awhile. With December approaching I am taking a brief hiatus to release several spin offs for this story to celebrate Hearthswarming Eve and the New Year. But as soon as they are posted I will return to continuing this main story.

And as always, thank you for reading!